BY MIKE BROPHY
sportsnet.ca
The National Hockey League and National Football League are both concerned with head shots and are making plans to sit down with one another to discuss the problem.
"We both seem to have the same concerns at this time," said Colin Campbell, the NHL's senior vice-president and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell. "We've made a call to the NFL in an effort to sit down with them to share our thoughts. They seem to have the same issues and concerns with head shots that we are experiencing."
The NHL is trying to crack down on illegal head shots as well as blindside hits. Campbell, who is media friendly, said he is bombarded daily by members of the media trying to get clarification on hits or to see if certain players will face a fine or suspension because of something they did in a game.
Campbell added that there seems to be the same overreaction to hits from behind and head shots that there was during the first season following the lockout of 2004-05 when the NHL cracked down on obstruction.
"There are a couple of criteria that we consider right away when looking at hits from behind, blindside hits and head shots," Campbell said. "First, did an injury occur? Also, is the player a repeat offender?"
Campbell also said he planned to speak with the NFL to get its perspective on how it deals with trash-talking. He said the verbal interaction between the teams during warm-up has become a concern to the NHL.
